"Then what is she doing?"
"Applying pressure."
That night, Daniel called a lawyer.
Not an HOA lawyer.
Not a business attorney.
A property-rights attorney.
The lawyer's name was Samuel Reed.
Samuel listened for nearly an hour.
When Daniel finished, there was silence.
Then Samuel said, "Send me everything."
Daniel did.
Two days later, Samuel called.
"You have a problem."
Daniel leaned back.
"What kind?"
"The kind that gets expensive."
"For whom?"
Samuel paused.
"Potentially the HOA."
Daniel looked at the documents.
"How?"
"These towing orders may be evidence of selective enforcement."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning they may have used HOA rules as a weapon against homeowners who refused to cooperate with unrelated property transactions."
Daniel stared out his office window.
"That's what I thought."
"Do you have the original records?"
"Yes."
"Keep them."
"Why?"
"Because if I'm right, Patricia isn't the biggest problem."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"What is?"
"The developer."
Daniel said nothing.
Samuel continued.
"Who is trying to build behind your neighborhood?"
Daniel looked at the development map.
There was a large parcel bordering the rear of the community.
"I don't know."
"You should."
"Why?"
"Because someone appears to want access through private property."
Daniel looked down at the towing records.
Suddenly, the pattern made sense.
The cars weren't the target.
The homeowners were.
And the Porsche had been chosen because Patricia knew it would create an emotional confrontation.
She had expected Emily to panic.
She had expected Daniel to argue.
She had expected him to become angry.
She had expected the situation to end with the car being removed.
Instead, she had accidentally put her entire enforcement system in front of the owner of the company carrying it out.
And Daniel had started looking.
The next HOA meeting was packed.
Homeowners filled the community clubhouse.
Some stood along the walls.
Patricia arrived wearing another blue suit.
She looked confident.
She walked to the front.
"Let's begin."
Daniel sat near the back.
Danielle sat beside him.
Emily was there too.
Patricia looked at Daniel.
Her expression hardened.
"We have several enforcement matters to discuss."
Daniel raised his hand.
Patricia ignored him.
"We will follow the agenda."
Daniel raised it again.
She looked directly at him.
"Mr. Carter, please wait."
"I have a question."
"We'll address questions at the appropriate time."
Daniel looked around.
Several homeowners were watching him.
He lowered his hand.
Patricia smiled.
Then she began.
"First, I want to address misinformation circulating about HOA authority."
Daniel almost laughed.
Patricia continued.
"Certain homeowners have suggested that our enforcement procedures are improper."
A woman near the front spoke.
"They are."
Patricia glared at her.
"We're not going to turn this meeting into chaos."
Daniel stood.
"Then answer one question."
Patricia sighed.
"What?"
"Why did you authorize thirty-seven vehicle removals?"
Silence.
Patricia's face changed.
"That's not accurate."